Photo: Archbishop Rev Dr Filip Nerri Ferrao offering prayers during the inauguration of the new church. Also seen Rev Fr Jayaseelan,Rev Fr Eusebio, Fr Lucio and other priests.
Uchgaon, a small town near Belgaum city having about 75 Catholic families amongst the strong population of other faiths, has a new church that was inaugurated on Sunday. Dedicated to St Jude the new church was inaugurated and blessed by Rev Dr Filipe Neri Ferrao, the Roman Catholic Patriarch of the East Indies and Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. He also presided over the religious Eucharistic celebrations.
Located about 10 kms towards west of Belgaum city on the busy Belgaum-Vengurla road, the Catholics here are predominantly Konkani speaking with their roots in Goa. According to locals, their ancestors arrived here from Goa somewhere at the end of nineteenth century.
“We had no church here and the faithful would go to Belgaum at the Immaculate Church there for their spiritual and other religious needs. In 1984, late Fr Gabriel Lobo constructed a small church at Uchgaon, devoted to St Jude. Gradually the parish was handed over to Missionaries of Francis de Sales (MSFS). Sensing the need of the rising number of Catholics Fr Melchiades, the present parish priest planned for the new church in January 1917. Thus, Fr Melchiades popularly known as Fr Melky strived hard and ran from pillar to post for generating funds for the construction of the new church,” Shimav Fernandes, a local leader and retired bank manager told Indian Catholic Matters.
In his sermon, Archbishop Ferrao highlighted the humanitarian values that are inculcated in the church. “While we build places of religious worship, we must also follow our religious values, recognize the social and cultural principles and seek happiness while co-operating each other,” he ascertained while congratulating the priests and the Catholics of Uchgaon for constructing a beautiful and monumental church which he said stands as a symbol of love, peace, happiness and harmony.
Provincial of Pune Province of the MSFS Society Rev Fr S Jayaseelan, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Belagaum Rev Fr Eusebio Fernandes, former vicar general Fr Lucio Mascarenhas along with other priests celebrated the holy mass.